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The
P12 has a range of 30km and a total flight time of 30 minutes. Although
described as a jetpack it is technically a miniaturised helicopter as
it uses small fans as opposed to jet engines for thrust.

Martin
Aircraft chief executive Glen Coker told AFP: 'Changing the position of
the jetpack's ducts has resulted in a quantum leap in performance over
the previous prototype, especially in terms of the aircraft's
maneuverability.

'For us it's a very important step
because it moves it out of what I call a dream into something which I
believe we're now in a position to commercialise and take forward very
quickly.'

The Martin Jet soars through the sky albeit with a dummy pilot. The company has now been granted permission to carry out manned test flights

The P12 hovers above the New Zealand countryside with a helicopter close by

Steady a she goes: The Martin p12 jetpack is put through its paces during an earlier test flight

Designer Mr Martin wanted to create a device that could be used on a daily basis by people with no pilot training.

It consists of two propulsion fans enclosed in cyclinders which are attached to a free-standing carbon-fibre frame on either side.

The pilot straps himself in and uses a
pair of joysticks to steer. The device is also equipped with a
rocket-propelled parachute in case something goes wrong.

Although originally designed for
recreational use, as a plaything for multi-millionaires, the company
says there has been strong interest from the commercial sector.

The device is equipped with a rocket-propelled parachute for use in the event of an emergency

The device could also have military applications or be used to patrol borders or by emergency services for rapid response.

The New Zealand aviation authority has granted permission for manned test flights although they will be limited to no more than six metres and can only be carried out over uninhabited areas.

The company hopes to begin delivery next year with an estimated price of between £97,000 and £160,000, although they hope to bring the cost down over time.

Science fiction: Sean Connery wears a jetpack in the 1965 film Thunderball